Balanced Black Girl Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Gabrielle Union on Embracing Vulnerability, Moving Through Creative Blocks, and No Longer Going 50/50
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Guest: Gabrielle Union, Actor, Producer, Author

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Balanced Black Girl, host Balanced Black Girl engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed actress, producer, and author Gabrielle Union. The discussion spans a variety of topics including reading habits, the complexities of creative processes, embracing vulnerability, and personal growth. This episode is filled with insightful anecdotes, practical advice, and heartfelt reflections that resonate with listeners striving for personal development and well-being.

Reading Habits and Preferences

The conversation begins with a deep dive into Gabrielle’s relationship with reading. Gabrielle shares her passion for historical fiction, highlighting her love for learning and history:

Gabrielle Union [02:13]: "Historical fiction. Yes, I'm a student of history. I love learning... I’m just a really big history buff. And I love fiction. And if you can combine both of my loves, get out of here."

She emphasizes her preference for physical books, valuing the tactile experience of reading:

Gabrielle Union [02:59]: "I like a physical book. I love going to bookstores. I love going to libraries... I'm a book aficionado."

Gabrielle also touches on her selective use of audiobooks, particularly favoring autobiographies narrated by the authors themselves to maintain the authenticity of their voices.

Book Adaptations and Creative Processes

Transitioning to the topic of adapting books into movies, Gabrielle discusses the challenges and emotional nuances involved:

Gabrielle Union [07:34]: "If I kind of look like this as I'm reading it, I'm like, someone else is going to probably feel the same way... So please read the book first, then watch the movie, and I hope you'll appreciate them each as individual entities."

She reflects on the adaptation of her own work, The Perfect Find:

Gabrielle Union [08:38]: "They were like, absolutely not. Which is why I'm like, read the book. You might have a completely different experience and find different things to love about the characters."

Gabrielle candidly shares her struggles with retaining creative control during adaptations, expressing the difficulty of preserving the original essence of a story:

Gabrielle Union [12:43]: "I don't trust anybody. You’re not turning my life into, you know, you're not going to note my real life to death. No."

Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Creative Blocks

When discussing creativity, Gabrielle describes it as a "double-edged sword." She revels in her creative freedom but also laments the constraints imposed when collaborating with others:

Gabrielle Union [18:38]: "When you're on the other side as well, and you have to give notes and you have to wrangle in someone's imagination, it feels stifling to be on that side of the creative process where it feels like the opposite, the antithesis of creativity."

Gabrielle emphasizes the therapeutic aspect of creativity, sharing personal stories about her daughter's artwork and the challenges of interpreting creative expressions:

Gabrielle Union [20:12]: "It's the dream killer part. You know, once it's up for people's interpretation or their opinion or whatever their thoughts may be, you're absorbing that as well, and it kind of can kill the mood, can kill the vision, you know?"

Vulnerability and Personal Growth

A significant portion of the episode delves into Gabrielle’s journey towards embracing vulnerability. She opens up about her battle with PTSD following a traumatic experience:

Gabrielle Union [48:32]: "I have the proper diagnoses. It was going to take me longer to end up where I still am... I probably still would have had to use a surrogate, but I could have started the process earlier."

Gabrielle discusses the importance of radical transparency and being genuine:

Gabrielle Union [25:02]: "For me, being logical is being radically transparent. I... I'm not taking this baby out."

She shares her struggles with dependency and control, highlighting her efforts to lean into vulnerability within her marriage:

Gabrielle Union [48:34]: "These are baby steps... But it feels good to relinquish some of the things that I really thought kept me safe."

Gabrielle underscores the necessity of self-compassion and growth, advising listeners to celebrate every win, no matter how small:

Gabrielle Union [42:04]: "Celebrate your little wins, big wins, medium sized wins. Now, I look back, like I'm looking back at my younger self... But everything isn’t how it turned out."

Personal Reflections on Judgement and Self-Acceptance

The discussion further explores themes of judgment and self-acceptance. Gabrielle reflects on her past judgmental tendencies and her journey towards being less critical of herself and others:

Gabrielle Union [36:05]: "I'm not letting it out in the world. But absolutely, you know, it's life, but it's not for me."

She emphasizes the importance of grace and understanding, both in giving it to others and receiving it:

Gabrielle Union [35:57]: "Give grace. Receive grace. That's it. That's a tough one, but, yeah, it is hard."

New Project: Riff Raff

Towards the end of the episode, Gabrielle introduces her new movie, Riff Raff, sharing her excitement and the diverse cast involved:

Gabrielle Union [58:12]: "I was the third person to sign on, so it was Jennifer Coolidge, who's the star, and also one of the executive producers, Ed Harris, who plays my love interest in this."

She discusses the film's complex character dynamics and blending of genres, likening it to a mix of a crime thriller and family comedy:

Gabrielle Union [60:14]: "It's dark, darkly funny, and it's like a crime thriller, family comedy dramedy. And it's also like a thrill ride. I love it."

Gabrielle expresses admiration for her co-star Ed Harris, highlighting his charisma and on-screen presence:

Gabrielle Union [61:07]: "I get to make out with Ed Harris. Which was unlikely."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt remarks from both the host and Gabrielle, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, personal growth, and embracing one’s authentic self. Gabrielle’s candidness provides listeners with invaluable insights into navigating personal and creative challenges, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical advice on well-being and self-improvement.

Notable Quotes:

• Gabrielle Union [02:13]: "Historical fiction. Yes, I'm a student of history... I’m just a really big history buff."
• Gabrielle Union [07:34]: "Please read the book first, then watch the movie, and I hope you'll appreciate them each as individual entities."
• Gabrielle Union [25:02]: "For me, being logical is being radically transparent... I am a control freak."
• Gabrielle Union [48:32]: "I have the proper diagnoses... I could have started the process earlier."
• Gabrielle Union [58:12]: "It's dark, darkly funny, and it's like a crime thriller, family comedy dramedy."

This episode offers a rich tapestry of discussions that encourage listeners to embrace their true selves, navigate creative and personal challenges, and find strength in vulnerability. Gabrielle Union’s openness and wisdom make this episode a valuable resource for those on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.